Spark Arrestors

Spark Arrestors

Since the 1800s, when people used to install screens atop the stacks of Jupiter locomotives, known for sparking fires, spark arrestors have been utilized in the United States. In 1905, authorities approved the first legislation mandating spark arrestors, and it extended to engines and boilers operating in, through, or near forested, brushy, or grassy areas.

The initiative to fight equipment-related fires by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service began in the 1920s with external combustion engines (steam donkeys) in forestry.

The USDA Forest Service began interested in minimizing the number of fires started by logging machines driven by internal combustion engines in the early 1950s. This initiative was based on a 1934 study. "Spark Arrestors for Motorized Equipment," by Fairbanks and Roy Bainer, was published by the University of California at Berkeley. According to the study, most fire ignitions were caused by exhaust particles having a diameter of 0.023 or bigger.

What is a Spark Arrestor

Internal (wire mesh within the smokebox) or exterior spark arrestors are available for steam locomotives. Steam locomotives were the first platforms for spark arrestors in the United States. Locomotives that burn wood or coal emit embers easily carried by the wind. The Radley-Hunter spark arrestor was a popular model that used centrifugal force to remove embers from the exhaust flow using a spiral-shaped cone.

Equipment-caused fires remained an issue far into the twentieth century. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, J.P. The earliest known academic research on the issue by Fairbank and Roy Bainer. Experiments showed that heated particulate matter diameter greater than 0.023 inches (0.584 mm) might ignite wildland fuels.

How Spark Arrestors Work

Spark arrestors operate on the premise of capturing or crushing carbon particles larger than 0.023 in diameter. A properly fitted and serviced spark arrestor will considerably lower fire danger, even if it is not always 100% accurate. Carbon particles will be trapped in the exhaust system by the most popular form of spark arrestor. It filters out the bigger carbon particles from the exhaust.

The larger carbon particles are forced against the interior walls of the arrestor and guided into a trap by centrifugal force. A screen or a disc is the most frequent screening method. Extra discs can be fitted to a disc-type layout to minimize backpressure and boost exhaust flow.

Spark Arrestors: Turbochargers, Superchargers, and Mufflers

Turbochargers function by turning a turbine, turning a compressor. When 100% of the exhaust gases travel through the turbine, turbochargers execute the spark arrestor duty. Wastegates on turbochargers enable a portion of the exhaust stream to skip the turbine wheel. Hence they are not considered spark arrestors. A spark arrestor isn't necessary for a well-maintained turbocharged engine.

Superchargers do not use exhaust gas; instead, they are directly coupled to the engine. A spark arrestor is required for engines using superchargers.

Mufflers are meant to minimize engine noise. However, they aren't regarded as good spark arrestors. On the other hand, catalytic converters are not considered effective spark arrestors. When they touch dry vegetation, they can have a high enough temperature to spark fires. A catalytic element is used in many MSE spark arrestors to prevent hazardous emissions. These spark arrestors have passed the SAE J335 test and have been certified.

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From fitment help from our in-house experts to shipping packages, we'll take care of you and your Spark Arrestors every step of the way. We know how much of a financial investment you're making in a set of Spark Arrestors, accessories, and upgrades. In return, we'll deliver a service and product second to none.

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